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Original poster

Anyone else paid to watch some theatre at home?

38 replies

EachandEveryone · 18/02/2021 22:29

I’ve never actually booked a ticket before but I’ve just watched the Color Purple from Birmingham and it was absolutely brilliant. £20 but worth it once I’d managed to get it up on the big tv. I’m going to do it more often until I can physically get there again.

OP posts:
Ohnomoreno · 18/02/2021 22:30

I do ballet I've subscribed to marquee TV.

katy1213 · 18/02/2021 22:33

I know the theatres need the money - but it does feel a bit like £20 to watch telly. But as soon as they're open again, I'll be back.

superduster · 18/02/2021 22:33

We got Disney plus to watch Hamilton. Other than that just the free stuff. I watched Wind in the Willows and Frankenstein in the first lockdown but haven't seen any free stuff available this time. I can't justify £40 a ticket.

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Theatre
Moondust001 · 18/02/2021 22:36

Not quite the same, but I watched Andreas Bocelli in concert and thought it was great. Well worth the £20 that I paid.

pink1173 · 18/02/2021 22:39

Yes. I watched Rent from the Hope Mill theatre and Emilia with the National. That was a pay what you could afford. I am a Drama teacher and we have access to NT Live now so am working my way through their catalogue which is fab. I am happy to pay as I really miss the theatre.

BackforGood · 18/02/2021 22:39

Same as Superduster here.

Though I suppose it isn't a lot if there are 2 or 3 of you watching.

NuzzleandScratch · 18/02/2021 22:39

I paid £14 to watch a classical concert, broadcast from Australia, so it was actually live in front of an audience. Happy to pay to support the artists.

Smartiepants79 · 18/02/2021 22:46

A few bits, some ballet, some Shakespeare, the wonderful panto from the national.
The children have loved the things we’ve seen.
Haven’t paid anything like £20 though!
It’s all been worth what I’ve paid - and more to be honest!

Egghead68 · 18/02/2021 22:48

Yes I’ve seen a few things. Most have been disappointing unfortunately.

Pipersouth · 18/02/2021 22:52

DH paid for two tickets when it just going to be us watching it at home! Grin did make me chuckle a bit (and the theatre wouldn’t give him a refund for the “extra “ ticket) but it was worth it!

HalfSizeMe · 18/02/2021 23:20

I paid to see Mischief Theatre - they're the people that did The Play That Goes Wrong, and they do a completely improvised musical. So someone suggests the location, style, what happens - and they make a musical to those suggestions! It's brilliant.

FightingFiles · 18/02/2021 23:32

We've paid for a few National Theatre things and loved them. We've made a special night of it with nice snacks and it's lovely family time.

If we want theatre there when we get out of this the I think we should if we can.

HerBigChance · 18/02/2021 23:43

I want to support theatre because I really miss it. I saw Three Kings from the Old Vic and plan to see more plays, plus some ballet.

VampireTheBuffetSlayer · 18/02/2021 23:46

I watched War Horse. I cried. I've had the Cruicible on my list since the beginning of the first lockdown but haven't got round to watching it yet Hmm

FlyNow · 18/02/2021 23:49

No, for me at least 50% of the enjoyment is the actual outing, getting dressed up and travelling there, going to a lovely old theatre, the atmosphere, enjoying it with everyone else. If I'm at home I'd rather watch a movie, which is designed for at home viewing. But everyone is different, it's great that you enjoyed it and supported the industry.

RamblingFar · 18/02/2021 23:52

I only pay £10 to watch it live at the local theatre (decent theatre, has the big touring shows). I won't be paying £20 a ticket to watch it on my laptop.

However, I did used to go and see a lot of the theatre shows that were sent to the cinemas.

And I also watched the free theatre shows that were released at he start of the first lockdown.

I think I need the huge screen/stage to feel it's worth spending the money.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 18/02/2021 23:53

Yes, to support the local theatre. They put on a smaller version of their rock and roll panto (no z list celebs, just really talented actors who are also the musicians for the show too) and I paid for tickets for me and the dc to watch it at Christmas as the usual show was, of course, cancelled. It was well worth it.

TryingNotToPanicOverCovid · 18/02/2021 23:54

Ooh Id like to do this. If anyone can suggets family friendly options that would he great.

Is it like hiring a movie or are they on set days etc?

IWouldHaveToSayApril25th · 18/02/2021 23:54

National Theatre does rentals now but monthly subscriptions ona par with prime - currently have Yerma and Angels in America.
I rented Fleabag theatre version last year and watched some Fringe shows. Currently Shedinburgh has them to stream only from 22nd Feb for a monthfor 4 quid each. I can recommend the monologues Team Viking and Deborah Frances-White. I think I will watch My arm this month. I also saw the wonderful Andrew Scott perform Sea Wall online. Plus used Dice to see James Acaster's last stand up show.

TryingNotToPanicOverCovid · 18/02/2021 23:56

Ooh would love to watch fleabag (not with the kids!)

OakSnows · 18/02/2021 23:56

Also interested in how you are doing this and who from etc?

BikeRunSki · 18/02/2021 23:58

We bought tickets for Wind in the Willows but our broadband struggled and we couldn’t watch it. We’ve upgraded now, might try again.

PamDenick · 19/02/2021 00:03

Family friendly: stage2view.com have The Wind in the Willows and Hetty Feather for about a fiver.
They also have some musicals such as Kinky Boots and An American in Paris...

babyinthacorner · 19/02/2021 00:03

Yep i’ve watched a few. I have lots of friends in the industry and they’re all really struggling, so whatever I can do to help them, I am.
Also, it’s just something a bit different to do in the evening. DH would never book himself but whenever I’ve booked to watch one, it’s really lifted his spirits.

ProfYaffle · 19/02/2021 00:04

Yes, we've done loads. Mischief Theatre are good (they do the Gone Wrong shows) they've been doing live improv shows. Always Be Comedy do some good stand up. A few local theatre companies have been doing some really innovative stuff using zoom. I've also just got tickets for Creation Theatre too but it's the first time we've used them so not sure if they're any good yet.

It has to be a live show though, otherwise it's just like hiring a movie. We hook a laptop up the tv using an hdmi cable and the 4 of us watch together.